SPIDER-MAN 2 Spins into IMAX July 23rd

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Wednesday, July 7th 2004 at 2:25 AM

IMAX Corporation and Columbia Pictures today announced that Spider-Man 2 will be distributed to IMAX(R) theatres worldwide this month. This widely-anticipated film, which generated a record breaking $180 million in its first six days of release in the United States and Canada, will be released to the IMAX network beginning on July 23, 2004. The film is being digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) through proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology.

"When you have a movie like Spider-Man 2, it makes sense to offer audiences an opportunity to experience the film in this incredible format," said Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution.

"We are very pleased to add this phenomenal film to IMAX's blockbuster 2004 lineup," said IMAX Co-CEO's Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "About a year ago, we did tests on the first Spider-Man, and since then, we've always thought Spider-Man 2 would be fantastic as an IMAX film. Columbia Pictures' entry into the IMAX business is further evidence that the Hollywood studios are recognizing the potential of presenting their event films in IMAX's format and capitalizing on the IMAX release window."

"Spider-Man 2 is ideally suited for IMAX and to be able to offer this superb movie to fans of IMAX and the Spider-Man franchise around the world in just a few weeks is an exciting development," said Greg Foster, President of Filmed Entertainment, IMAX Corporation. "Our proprietary digital re-mastering technology is making significant advances. It now has greater flexibility than ever before, enabling Hollywood studios to move quickly to reformat their blockbuster films and seize on the consumer demand for Hollywood event films in IMAX's unparalleled format."